Europe

UK/US - United Airlines has assured its UK staff their pension plan is safe although four schemes in the US are likely to be closed.

UK - Merrill Lynch has unveiled a new flexible benefits package following its decision to wind up its final salary scheme earlier this year.

UK - Ministers have been told to find extra funding for the Financial Assistance Scheme for wind-up victims and not turn to the industry for cash.

UK - Financial services group iimia has been listed on the alternative investment market - a month after it merged with Exeter Investment Group.

UK - Fidelity Investments, the world's largest investment management organisation, has appointed Martin Harris as managing director of UK defined benefits.

UK - Giving workers financial incentives to cut high sickness absence figures will create new problems for employers, health experts warn.

UK - Hewitt Bacon & Woodrow is urging the government to exclude money purchase schemes from any prescription arising out of the Myners Report.

UK - Web portal services provider The Exchange has processed over 100,000 new business transactions for IFAs via its Exweb product.

UK - Two London local authority pension schemes are increasing their investment in alternative asset classes.

UK - Winterthur Life is holding a series of roadshows for financial advisers on the effects of tax simplification.